Instant recycling time-delay relay



March 12, 1946. M. G. NELSEN INSTANT RECYCLING TIME DELAY RELAY Filed Jan. 7, 1944 3 SheetsSheet 1 .7 floivzeys March 12, 1946. G NELSEN 2,396,523

INSTANT RECYCLING TIME DELAY RELAY .Filed Jan. 7, 1944 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIHH 45g March 12, 1946. NELSEN 2,396,523

INSTANT RECYCLING TIME DELAY RELAY Filed Jan. 7 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 1 2, 1946 INSTANT RECYCLING TIME-DELAY RELAY Marvin G. Nelsen,

Skokie,

Ill., assignor to Guardian Electric Manufacturing 00., Chicago, 11]., a corporation 01' Illinois Application January 7, 1944, Serial No. 517,332

.6 Claims.

This invention relates to time delay devices of the type wherein certain apparatus or devices to be controlled are actuated a predetermined period of time after actuation of other apparatus or devices. Time delay devices of this general class are adapted to a relatively wide field of use, and may be constructed and arranged to function as a time delay relay or may be utilized to cause mechanical actuation of various apparatus or devices in a time delayed manner with respect to other apparatus or devices initially actuated.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved time delay device utilizing a mechanical clockwork mechanism for performing the timing action, together with a solenoid and interconnecting means by virtue of which the clockwork mechanism is caused to function incident to the movement of the plunger of the solenoid in one direction, and wherein the clockwork mechanism is recocked incident to movement of the plunger of the solenoid in the opposite direction.

Another object is to provide an improved time delay device in which a mechanical clockwork mechanism is actuated by energy built up in a resilient connection between a plunger of a solenoid and the clockwork mechanism incident to movement of the plunger in one direction and wherein a second resilient means eiiects recocking of the clockwork mechanism, incident to movement of the plunger of the solenoid in the opposite direction.

A further object is to provide an improved time delay device of the character indicated which is constructed and arranged to effect instant recycling of the time delay action.

Still another object is to provide an improved time delay device which is simple in construction, eficient and durable in operation, and which may be economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the time delay device embodying the present invention, with portions of the mounting plates broken away to show details of construction.

position of the parts at the completion of the timing period.

Figure 5 is a staggered sectional view through the device, taken substantially as indicated at line 5-5 on Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the timer operating lever and associated cam.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the timer lever and cam.

Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged plan and side views respectively of the plunger operated lever.

While the embodiment of my invention, as represented in the drawings, is in the form of a time delay relay, manifestly the device may be readily adapted for various purposes to obtain instant recycling, with a time delay actuation of various apparatus or devices which it is desired to control.

The device as represented in the drawings is in the nature of a unitary instrumentality and includes a sheet metal mounting base l0, upon which is rigidly mounted a solenoid i I, having a plunger l2, the outer end of which, as may be seen in Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the device,

Figure 2 of the drawings, is of yoke formation with a transverse pin 14, connecting the outer ends of the legs of said yoke portion. The plunger of the solenoid is limited in its outward movement by a stop member l5, connected to said base, and having an upstanding leg a positioned so as to be engaged by the extreme outer end of the lower leg of the yoke portion of the plunger i2.

Disposed adjacent the solenoid is a mechanical'clockwork mechanism, indicated generally at E6, of a commercially available type, including a reciprocable rack i J, meshed with a one-way driving pinion 18, mounted on a shaft is, between a pair of frame plates 20, connected in spaced relation by spacers 2i The edge of the rack, opposite the toothed portion, is seated and guided in a pair of spaced apart, grooved rollers 22. (Io-axially mounted with the one-way driving pinion i8, is a gear 24, loosely mounted on the shaft I9, and provided with a driving pawl 26, resiliently urged by a spring 2?, carried on said gear, into meshing engagement with the teeth of the pinion l8. As may be seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the pawl 26 positively connects the pinion l8 and the gear 24, for driving the gear simultaneously therewith, when the pinion is rotated in counterclockwise direction, as a result of downward movement of the rack ll. When the rack I7 is moved in an upwardly direction the pinion 18, by reason of the form and position of the pawl 26, rotates freely and independently of the gear 24.

The gear 24 is meshed with a pinion 28, mounted on a stub shaft 29, which is mounted at opposite ends in the plates 2t. Rigidly attached to the pinion 28 is a gear fill, which in turn meshes with a pinion 3 l, carried on a stub shaft 32, the ends of which are mounted in the plates Ell. Rigidly associated with the pinion 3B, is a gear 36, which in turn meshes with a pinion 36, carried on a stub sha t 37!, which is mounted at opposite ends in the plates 2t. Rigidly associated with the pinion is a gear 39, which in turn is meshed with a pinion lit, mounted on a stub shaft G9, which is mounted at opposite ends in the plates 2t.

Rigidly attached to the pinion Gil is an escapemerit wheel 63, with which cooperates an escape= ment dog l l, mounted on a pivot shaft 65, carried by the frame plates 2&3. Thus when the rack ll is moved in an upwardly direction, as viewed in Figure 1, only the main pinion. l8 is rotated, and the remaining gearing of the mechanism remains idle. When the rack ll moves in a downwardly direction the pinion it], drives the various gearing above described, and actuates the escapement mechanism, which in turn serves to control the rate of downward movement of the rack ll.

The lower end of the raclr. ll, and the outer end of the plunger l2, of the solenoid are interconnected by mechanism including means energized as result of upward movement of the plunger, incident to energization of the solenoid, for actuating the clockwork mechanism, and serving to recoclr the clockwork mechanism incident to downward or outward movement of the plunger of the solenoid. The connecting means comprises a mounting stud lit, connected at one end in the mounting plate to and its upper end is mounted in a triangular shaped plate 552, supporwd in spaced relation to the mounting plate ill, by means of spacer members Journaled on the stud ho is a lever lid, the outer end of which is provided with ayolse opening or slot straddling the pin til at the outer end of the plunger oi the solenoid.

The purpose of the yoke opening is to accomrno date the relative movement of the lever to the pin incident to the upward and downward movement of the plunger. The upper face of the lever 56 is provided with a headed stud 5V, and the lower face of said lever is provided with a depending headed stud 58. J'ournaled on the stub shaft to, below the lever M3, is a lever Kill, the outer end of which is plvotally connected by a pivot pin ill to a clevis formed of a pair of bar elements 62, embracing opposite faces of the lever, and the opposite ends of said bars are pivotally connected by a pivot pin 63, to the opposite face of the lower end of the rack l l. Extending upwardly from the upper face of the lever till, is a headed stud t5, and mounted concentrically with respect to the pivot axis of the lever 6!], is a segmental cam til, of generally circular contour, and formed with a reduced peripheral portion to, connected to the outer peripheral portion of the cam by inclined surfaces 680. and 68b. The cam is rigidly attached to the lever by means of a pair of rivets E9. The end of the lever $0, to the right of the pivot axis, terminates in an extension (Eta, the downward or lower edge of which is provided with an upstanding stop lug "ill, positioned to be engaged by the corresponding edge of the lever E l. Seated upon the lever 5d, is a cylindrical plug 72, journaled on the stud 51B, and wound around the plug l2 is a coil spring '33, having its terminal portions, at the lower and upper ends of the coil spring respectively, extending a substantial distance laterally, in opposite directions, and anchored on the stud fill of the lever 54, and the stud 65 of the lever as clearly seen in the drawings.

asoaoae Mounted below the cam (ll is another cylirulri cal plug (not shown) seating upon the upper sun face of the mounting plate lid, and wound around said plug is a second coil spring E5, the lower end of which, as indicated at lilo, is anchored in aperture in the mounting plate to, and the upper end of said coil spring l5 terminates in lateral extension, the extreme end of which is anchored on the depending stud on the lever 56.

Mounted adjacent the lower edge of the inount ing plate to, is a conventional, commercial type of self-contained snap-action switch, as indicated Elli, which includes a depressihle plunger member 8 l. It is to be understood that in the switch here- 'm disclosed the plunger Gil is normally yieldingly urged in an. outwardly direction, and the switch contacts may be of various arrangements, depending upon the nature of the electrical circuit or circuits to be controlled. It is also to he uuden stood that the switch may be in a normall open, or a normally closed position initially, o1 normally complete one circuit, and then v actuated break said circuit and complete one circuit. Rigidly attached to the top of the s lll is a resilient, actuating arm 82, which out a position to engage the outer end of the ilu' ill of the switch. At the extreme outer the resilient member 82, is mounted lira providing journal support for a roller ill"), vi by the yielding pressure or the plunger c l, the member @2 causes said roller to he yl l an ry urged against the periphery of the care.

Operation Let it be assumed that the solenoid ii is c r nested in an electrical circuit to be first c pleted, and that the snap=action switch is cluded in one or more electrical circuits to be controlled in time delayed relation to the closing of the electrical circuit including the solenoid. When the solenoid circuit is closed and the solemold is energized, the plunger i2 is instantly retracted so that the parts of the device assume a position as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. By such movement or the plunger of the solenoid, and the lever 5d, the leg of the coil spring 113 connected to said lever, is moved in an upwardly direction, tensioning or loading said spring, so that its opposite leg, connected to the lever (ill, exerts a yielding force, tending to draw the rack member ll of the clockwork mechanism in a downwardly direction, Such movement of the plunger l2, acting through the lever 56, simultaneously loads or tensions the coil spring 775, for a purpose hereinafter referred to.

The built up energy in the spring l8 thus causes actuation of the clockwork mechanism for a predetermined period of time. As the energy of said spring H3 is expended, during which the clockwork mechanism is actuated, the lever 68, moves downwardly, and simultaneously rotates the cam ill therewith, in-a counter clockwise direction, until the roller 8 1 rides down the shoulder 88a; and finally engages the inner cam surface 68, as seen in Figure 4, at which time the plunger 86 of the snap-action switch 80, has moved outwardly to effect operation of the movable switch member or members therein for making or break ing electrical circuits to be controlled, which action of the switch takes place after the lapse of a. predetermined interval of time subsequent to initial closure of the circuit including the solenoid M. The connections to the solenoid and the clockwork timing mechanism are dimensioned and correlated so that immediately after the snap-action switch is actuated, the stop lug I 01' the lever 80 engages the lower edge oi the lever 54 as seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, to cause the parts to remain in the position seen in Figure 4, until the circuit including the solenoid is opened, at which time, due to deenergization of the solenoid, the built up energy in the coil spring 15, acting on the lever 54, causes the lever to move the plunger l2 downwardly in abutting engagement with the stop lug I So. Due to the relationship of the levers 60 and 54, and by virtue of the lug in on lever 60, as seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, the lever 60 is likewise moved simultaneously with the lever 54, in a clockwise direction, thereby moving the rack member [1, in an upwardly direction for recocking the clockwork timing mechanism. Thus the mechanism is restored to a condition for instant recyc ng so that each time that the circuit, including the solenoid i completed and broken the time delay device is restored to a condition to immediately repeat th timed delayed action of making and, or breaking the electrical circuits being controlled.

Various other types or" clockwork devices may be employed in lieu of the rack actuating type herein disclosed. It will also be apparent that the time delay action of the device may be employed for controlling the actuation mechanically of various members for actuating various types of devices in a time delayed manner.

As a specific example of use of my novel time delay device, the device may be utilized in an amplifying circuit wherein the solenoid is connected in a circuit with the filament of the tubes of amplifying circuit, and the snap action switch is connected in circuit with the plates of the tubes so as to control the time of supplying energy to the plates to take place a predetermined period of time after the filaments of the tubes are energized.

It will also be manifest that the time interval, as determined by the clockwork mechanism, may be varied considerably for various applications by varying the timer construction, or by the use oi different resilient members (which as herein shown are in the form of springs), or by varying the stroke of the plunger of the solenoid, and in various other manners which should be readily apparent.

Alth ugh I have herein shown and described a to be understood as limitin this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim asmy invention:

1. In a time delay device, the combination of a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing mechanism, a pair of coaxially pivoted oppositely extending levers connected at their ends respectively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots, tending to urge said levers apart in the said one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation of the timing mechanism for a predetermined period of time, and means actuated under control of said timing mechanism during actuation thereof.

2. In a time delay device, the combination of a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing mechanism, a pair of coaxially pivoted oppositely extending levers connected at their ends respectively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots, tending to urge said levers apart in the said one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation of the timing mechanism for a predetermined period of time, means actuated under control of said timing mechanism during actuation thereof, and a second spring positioned to urge said plunger to its outer position, when the solenoid is deenergized, and causing the first mentioned spring to impart movement through said levers to effect recocking of the timing mechanism.

3. In a time delay device, the combination of a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing mechanism, a pair of coaxially pivoted oppositely extending levers connected at their ends respectively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots, tending to urge said levers apart in the said one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation of the timing mechanism for a predetermined period of time, a member connected to said timing mechanism leyer; and means actuated by the movement of said member incident to actuation of said timing mechanism for a predetermined period or" time.

4-. In a time delay device, the combination of.

a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing mechanism, a pair of coaxially pivoted oppositely extending levers connected at their ends respectively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the'other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots, tending to urge said levers apart in the said one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation of the timing mechanism for a predetermined period of time, a member connected to said timing mechanism lever, means actuated by the movement of said member incident to actuation of said timing mechanism for-a predetermined period of time, and a second spring positioned to urge said plunger to its outer position, whenthe solenoidis deenergized, and causing the first mentioned spring to impart movement through said levers to eii'ect recocking of the timing mechanism.

5. In a time delay device, the combination of a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing mechanism, a pair of coaxially pivoted oppositely extending levers connected at their ends respectively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots, tending to urge said levers apart in the said one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation "of the timing mechanism for a predetermined period of time, means actuated under control of said timing mechanism during actuation thereof, a second spring positioned to urge said plunger to its outer position, when the solenoid is deenergized, and causing the first mentioned spring to impart movement through said levers to effect recocking of the timing mechanism, and stop means for limiting the movement imparted to said levers by said second spring.

6. In a time delay device, the combination of a solenoid having a plunger, clockwork timing aeeasea tively to the end of the plunger and to the timing mechanism, a stop on one lever positioned to engage the other lever for limiting movement of one lever relatively to the other in one direction, a coil spring having its opposite ends connected to said levers, remote from their pivots. tending to urge said levers apart in 'the-said-one direction, said spring being tensioned by the inward movement of the plunger, incident to energizing the solenoid, for causing actuation of the timing mechanism for a predeterminedperiod of time, a cam member connected to said lever associated with the timing mechanism, and a snap action switch including a control element engaging said cam member, whereby said member causes actuation of the switch incident to actuation of sai timing mechanism.

VIN GrNELSEN. 

